Illinois Democrats outpace GOP in fundraising

CHICAGO — Illinois Democrats are outpacing their Republican counterparts in fundraising so far in the 2014 election cycle.

Crain's Chicago Business reports (http://bit.ly/1qOkJGr ) that Democrats have almost twice as much cash on hand as Illinois Republicans with $26.9 million. Democrats control the governor's mansion and the state Legislature. Crain's examined the finances of candidates for statewide office, state party organizations and county organizations.

Republican businessman Bruce Rauner (ROW'-nur) trails Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn by about $1.5 million in cash on hand in the Illinois governor's race.

The race for Illinois comptroller between Republican Judy Baar Topinka and Democrat Sheila Simon is the only statewide race where a Republican maintains a large fundraising advantage over a Democrat.

The Illinois Democratic Party has $3.1 million in cash on hand compared to Republicans' about $980,000.